Disclosed are a stretchable touchscreen, a method for manufacturing the same and a display device including the same. After using a material having a high elastic restoring force as a substrate and determining regions where touch electrodes are formed by defining grooves thereon, touch electrodes are formed by filling the grooves with nanowires. Accordingly, it is possible to maintain elastic restoring force of the substrate and electrical connection between wires of nanowires, so that the touch electrode neither breaks nor factures despite being stretched any direction, and reliable stretchable touchscreens can be provided due to no resistance increase.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A stretchable touchscreen comprising: a stretchable substrate of a single layer having a modulus of 100 MPa to 200 MPa and a strain higher than 10%; a plurality of first grooves arranged in a first direction and defined by removing a first predetermined depth from a first surface of the stretchable substrate, wherein the first predetermined depth is from 1/200 to 1/10 of a thickness of the stretchable substrate; a plurality of first electrodes, each of the plurality of first electrodes including nanowires within each of the plurality of first grooves, wherein the nanowires connect each other in a form of a chain in each of the plurality of first grooves; gaps among the nanowires within each of the plurality of first grooves, wherein the gaps among the nanowires are changed by elongation of the stretchable substrate; and a protective film over the plurality of first electrodes, wherein an inner surface of the protective film is in coplanar contact with the first surface of the stretchable substrate and an upper surface of the nanowires included in each of the plurality of first electrodes.
A stretchable touchscreen is designed to address the challenge of creating flexible, durable touch interfaces that can withstand deformation without losing functionality. The device includes a single-layer stretchable substrate with a modulus between 100 MPa and 200 MPa and a strain capability exceeding 10%, ensuring flexibility and mechanical resilience. The substrate features a series of first grooves arranged in a first direction, each groove having a depth between 1/200 and 1/10 of the substrate's total thickness. These grooves are filled with nanowires that form interconnected chains, allowing electrical conductivity while accommodating stretching. The nanowires within each groove are spaced apart, and their gaps adjust dynamically as the substrate elongates, maintaining electrical continuity. A protective film covers the electrodes, with its inner surface flush against the substrate and the nanowires, ensuring a smooth, uniform surface. This design enables the touchscreen to stretch without compromising electrical performance, making it suitable for applications requiring flexibility and durability.
2. The stretchable touchscreen according to claim 1 , wherein the stretchable substrate is a silicone-based film or a polyurethane-based film.
A stretchable touchscreen is designed to provide flexible and deformable input surfaces for electronic devices, addressing the limitations of rigid touchscreens in applications requiring elasticity, such as wearable electronics or foldable displays. The invention includes a stretchable substrate that serves as the base layer for the touchscreen, enabling it to stretch and deform without damage. The substrate is made from either a silicone-based film or a polyurethane-based film, both of which offer high elasticity and durability. The touchscreen further includes conductive layers and sensor elements integrated into the substrate to detect touch inputs while maintaining flexibility. The conductive layers may be formed from stretchable materials such as conductive polymers or metal meshes, ensuring electrical conductivity even when the substrate is stretched. The sensor elements, such as capacitive or resistive sensors, are embedded within or on the substrate to detect touch events accurately. The combination of the stretchable substrate and flexible conductive layers allows the touchscreen to conform to curved or irregular surfaces, making it suitable for applications in wearable devices, flexible displays, and other deformable electronic systems. The invention improves upon traditional rigid touchscreens by providing a durable, responsive, and adaptable input solution for dynamic environments.
3. The stretchable touchscreen according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first grooves are parallel to each other and are disposed along the direction of one side of the stretchable substrate.
A stretchable touchscreen includes a flexible substrate with a plurality of first grooves formed on its surface. These grooves are parallel to each other and aligned along the direction of one side of the substrate. The grooves enhance the stretchability of the substrate, allowing it to deform without damaging the conductive layers or other components embedded within it. The touchscreen maintains its functionality even when stretched, ensuring consistent touch sensitivity and electrical conductivity. The parallel arrangement of the grooves optimizes the distribution of stress, preventing localized strain that could lead to cracks or failures. This design is particularly useful in applications requiring flexible or deformable displays, such as wearable electronics, foldable devices, or stretchable sensors. The grooves may be filled with a flexible material to further improve durability and prevent ingress of contaminants. The touchscreen may also include additional conductive layers and insulating layers to ensure reliable operation under deformation. The overall structure ensures that the touchscreen remains functional and responsive even when subjected to repeated stretching or bending.
4. The stretchable touchscreen according to claim 1 , wherein the protective film is an organic film for planarizing a surface.
A stretchable touchscreen system addresses the challenge of maintaining touch sensitivity and durability in flexible or stretchable electronic devices. The invention includes a stretchable touchscreen with a protective film applied to its surface. The protective film is an organic film designed to planarize the surface of the touchscreen, ensuring smoothness and uniformity. This planarization improves touch accuracy and responsiveness by reducing surface irregularities that could interfere with touch detection. The organic film also enhances durability by protecting the underlying touch-sensitive layers from environmental damage, such as scratches or moisture. The stretchable nature of the touchscreen allows it to conform to curved or deformable surfaces without compromising functionality. The protective film is integrated in a way that maintains flexibility while providing a consistent touch interface. This design is particularly useful in applications like wearable electronics, flexible displays, and other devices requiring both stretchability and reliable touch input. The organic film's planarizing effect ensures consistent performance across the entire touchscreen surface, even when stretched or bent.
5. The stretchable touchscreen according to claim 1 , further comprising: a plurality of second electrodes disposed in a second direction crossing the first electrodes in the first direction on the protective film; and a plurality of first connection electrodes disposed in in the first direction and connecting adjacent ones of the first electrodes, the first connection electrodes not overlapping the second electrodes and disposed in the first direction, wherein the second electrodes and the first connection electrodes also include nanowires.
A stretchable touchscreen is designed to address the challenge of maintaining touch sensitivity and durability in flexible or stretchable electronic devices. The touchscreen includes a protective film with a plurality of first electrodes arranged in a first direction, where these electrodes are made of nanowires to enhance flexibility and conductivity. To improve touch detection in multiple directions, the touchscreen further includes a plurality of second electrodes arranged in a second direction that crosses the first direction. These second electrodes are also made of nanowires and are positioned on the protective film. Additionally, the touchscreen incorporates first connection electrodes that connect adjacent first electrodes in the first direction, ensuring continuous electrical pathways. These connection electrodes are designed to avoid overlapping with the second electrodes, preventing electrical interference. The use of nanowires in both the second electrodes and the first connection electrodes ensures that the touchscreen remains highly conductive and stretchable, maintaining functionality under deformation. This design enables accurate touch detection in both the first and second directions while preserving the device's flexibility and durability.
6. The stretchable touchscreen according to claim 5 , wherein the protective film comprises a laminate of an organic film and an inorganic film.
A stretchable touchscreen is designed to provide flexible and durable input functionality for devices requiring deformation, such as wearable electronics or foldable displays. The touchscreen includes a protective film that enhances resistance to environmental factors like scratches, moisture, and abrasion while maintaining flexibility. The protective film is a laminate structure combining an organic film and an inorganic film. The organic film provides flexibility and adhesion, while the inorganic film offers barrier properties to prevent moisture and oxygen ingress. This dual-layer design ensures the touchscreen remains functional under repeated stretching and bending without compromising performance. The inorganic film, typically a thin layer of metal oxide or nitride, is deposited onto the organic film, which may be a polymer such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyimide. The laminate structure balances flexibility with durability, allowing the touchscreen to withstand mechanical stress while protecting underlying conductive layers. This innovation addresses the challenge of maintaining touch sensitivity and structural integrity in stretchable displays, enabling applications in emerging flexible electronics.
7. The stretchable touchscreen according to claim 6 , further comprising: a barrier film covering the second electrodes and the first connection electrodes on the protective film.
A stretchable touchscreen is designed to provide flexible and durable input functionality for devices requiring deformation, such as wearable electronics or foldable displays. The touchscreen includes a substrate with a first set of electrodes arranged in a first direction and a second set of electrodes arranged in a second direction, forming a grid for touch detection. The electrodes are connected via conductive traces that allow the touchscreen to stretch without breaking. A protective film is applied over the substrate and electrodes to enhance durability and prevent damage. The second electrodes and their connecting electrodes are covered by a barrier film to protect against environmental factors like moisture or physical wear, ensuring long-term reliability. This barrier film is applied over the protective film, maintaining flexibility while providing an additional layer of protection. The combination of stretchable electrodes, protective film, and barrier film enables the touchscreen to withstand repeated stretching and bending while maintaining accurate touch sensitivity. This design addresses the challenge of creating touchscreens that can deform without compromising performance, making them suitable for applications requiring flexibility and durability.
8. The stretchable touchscreen according to claim 1 , further comprising: a plurality of second grooves on a second surface of the substrate with a second predetermined depth from the second surface of the substrate, the second surface of the substrate opposite the first surface of the substrate, the first grooves arranged in a first direction and the second grooves arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction; and a plurality of second electrodes which fill the second grooves and include nanowires.
A stretchable touchscreen is designed to address the challenge of maintaining functionality while being deformed or stretched. The device includes a flexible substrate with a first set of grooves on one surface, arranged in a first direction, and a second set of grooves on the opposite surface, arranged in a second direction that crosses the first. These grooves are filled with conductive nanowires to form electrodes. The first and second grooves intersect to create a grid-like electrode structure, enabling touch detection across the flexible surface. The nanowires provide electrical conductivity while allowing the substrate to stretch without breaking. This design ensures that the touchscreen remains operational even when deformed, making it suitable for applications requiring flexibility, such as wearable devices or foldable displays. The intersecting groove pattern enhances durability and stretchability by distributing stress evenly across the substrate. The use of nanowires ensures reliable electrical connectivity despite repeated stretching or bending.
9. A display device comprising the stretchable touchscreen according to claim 1 ; and a display panel bonded to the stretchable touchscreen through an adhesive layer.
A display device includes a stretchable touchscreen and a display panel bonded together using an adhesive layer. The stretchable touchscreen is designed to detect touch inputs while maintaining flexibility and stretchability, allowing the display device to conform to curved or irregular surfaces. The touchscreen incorporates a flexible substrate, a conductive layer for sensing touch, and a protective layer that can stretch without damaging the underlying components. The display panel, which may be an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) or liquid crystal display (LCD), is attached to the touchscreen using an adhesive that ensures durability and flexibility. The adhesive layer is selected to maintain bonding strength under repeated stretching and bending, preventing delamination. This design enables the display device to be used in applications requiring flexible or deformable displays, such as wearable electronics, foldable smartphones, or curved automotive dashboards. The combination of the stretchable touchscreen and display panel provides a seamless, high-performance interface that adapts to dynamic surface changes while maintaining touch sensitivity and visual clarity.
10. The stretchable touchscreen of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of routing lines electrically connecting the first electrodes to corresponding pad electrodes, the routing lines made of same metals as the nanowires.
A stretchable touchscreen system includes a flexible substrate with a plurality of first electrodes and second electrodes arranged in a grid pattern. The first electrodes are electrically connected to corresponding pad electrodes via routing lines, which are made of the same conductive material as the nanowires used in the touchscreen. The nanowires form a conductive network that provides stretchability and electrical conductivity. The routing lines ensure reliable signal transmission between the electrodes and the pad electrodes, maintaining functionality under mechanical deformation. The system addresses the challenge of maintaining electrical connectivity in flexible or stretchable touchscreens, which are prone to signal loss or disconnection when subjected to bending or stretching. The use of matching materials for the routing lines and nanowires ensures consistent performance and durability. This design is particularly useful in applications requiring flexible or conformable touch interfaces, such as wearable devices, foldable displays, or stretchable electronic skins. The invention improves upon prior art by integrating the routing lines with the nanowire structure, reducing complexity and enhancing reliability.
11. A stretchable touchscreen comprising: a stretchable substrate having a modulus of 100 MPa to 200 MPa and a strain higher than 10%; a plurality of grooves defined by removing constant first depth from the first surface of the stretchable substrate, the first depth is from 1/200 to 1/10 of a thickness of the stretchable substrate a plurality of first bridge electrodes arranged in a first direction within the plurality of grooves of the stretchable substrate, and a protecting film covering the plurality of first bridge electrodes, a plurality of first touch electrodes arranged in the first direction and disposed on the protecting film; a plurality of second touch electrodes arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction, the plurality of second touch electrodes being disposed on the protecting film; a plurality of second bridge electrodes arranged in the second direction, the plurality of second bridge electrodes crossing the first bridge electrodes, and being electrically connected to the second touch electrodes, and not overlapping with the first touch electrodes, and gaps among nanowires within each of the plurality of grooves, wherein the gaps among the nanowires are changed by elongation of the stretchable substrate; wherein each of the plurality of grooves is disposed inside the stretchable substrate and has a first predetermined depth from a first surface of the stretchable substrate, wherein each of the plurality of first bridge electrodes includes a first nanowire group filling each of the plurality of grooves, the first nanowire group has a plurality of nanowires connecting each other, each nanowires has a nanometer-scale width, wherein the second bridge electrodes, the first touch electrodes and the second touch electrodes include a second nanowire group, the second nanowire group has a plurality of nanowires connecting each other, each nanowire has a nanometer-scale width, wherein at least one of the plurality of nanowires positioned at an upper surface of each of the plurality of first bridge electrodes are coplanar with the first surface of the stretchable substrate, and wherein the first depth is from 1/200 to 1/10 of the thickness of the stretchable substrate.
A stretchable touchscreen is designed to address the challenge of maintaining functionality under mechanical deformation, such as stretching or bending. The device includes a stretchable substrate with a modulus between 100 MPa and 200 MPa and a strain capability exceeding 10%. The substrate has a plurality of grooves etched to a controlled depth, ranging from 1/200 to 1/10 of the substrate's total thickness. These grooves house first bridge electrodes composed of interconnected nanowires, which fill the grooves and extend to the substrate's surface. A protective film covers these electrodes, and first and second touch electrodes are arranged in perpendicular directions on the film. Second bridge electrodes, also made of nanowires, cross the first bridge electrodes without overlapping the first touch electrodes. The nanowires in the grooves adjust their spacing when the substrate stretches, ensuring electrical connectivity. The touch electrodes and bridge electrodes are formed from nanowire groups, where each nanowire has a nanometer-scale width. This design enables the touchscreen to remain functional under deformation while maintaining sensitivity and durability.
12. The stretchable touchscreen according to claim 11 , further comprising an organic protective film covering both of the first surface of the stretchable substrate and the plurality of first bridge electrodes.
A stretchable touchscreen system addresses the challenge of maintaining touch sensitivity and durability in flexible or stretchable electronic devices. The system includes a stretchable substrate with a first surface and a second surface, where the first surface supports a plurality of first bridge electrodes arranged in a first direction. These electrodes are electrically connected to a plurality of first conductive lines, which are positioned on the second surface of the substrate. The first bridge electrodes and conductive lines form a conductive path that allows the touchscreen to detect touch inputs while accommodating stretching or deformation of the substrate. Additionally, an organic protective film covers both the first surface of the substrate and the first bridge electrodes, providing protection against environmental damage, such as moisture or physical wear, while preserving the flexibility and stretchability of the touchscreen. The protective film ensures the integrity of the conductive path and enhances the overall durability of the device. This design enables the touchscreen to function reliably in applications requiring flexibility, such as wearable electronics or foldable displays.
13. The stretchable touchscreen of claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of first routing lines electrically connecting the first touch electrodes to corresponding pad electrodes, and a plurality of second routing lines electrically connecting the second touch electrodes to corresponding pad electrodes, wherein the first routing lines and the second routing lines are formed of same metals as the nanowires.
A stretchable touchscreen is designed to address the challenge of maintaining electrical conductivity and touch sensitivity in flexible or stretchable electronic devices. Traditional touchscreens often fail under mechanical deformation due to brittle conductive materials or poor adhesion between layers. This invention improves upon prior art by incorporating a stretchable touchscreen with a conductive layer made of nanowires, which provide flexibility and durability. The touchscreen includes a first set of touch electrodes and a second set of touch electrodes, arranged to detect touch inputs in a coordinate system. To enhance electrical connectivity, the touchscreen further includes first routing lines that electrically connect the first touch electrodes to corresponding pad electrodes, and second routing lines that connect the second touch electrodes to corresponding pad electrodes. Both sets of routing lines are formed using the same metals as the nanowires, ensuring consistent material properties and reliable electrical performance under stretching or bending. This design ensures that the touchscreen remains functional even when subjected to mechanical stress, making it suitable for applications in wearable electronics, flexible displays, and other deformable devices. The use of nanowire-based routing lines minimizes signal loss and maintains conductivity, addressing key limitations of existing stretchable touch technologies.
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December 28, 2017
March 29, 2022
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